Coronavirus: At school in Aberdeenshire Frequently Asked Questions - Aberdeenshire Council

Coronavirus: At school in Aberdeenshire
Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance from our health experts
What should I do if my child is unwell?
If your child is unwell – for instance where they have quite a heavy cold – they may need
to take a day or two off to recover.

ONLY if they have one of the three common symptoms of COVID-19 (coronavirus) - a
continuous cough, a fever or high temperature or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or
taste (anosmia) - please follow the latest advice via
https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus and book a test. This website includes advice on
what is considered to be a fever in children.

If your child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but has other cold-like symptoms,
such as a runny nose, they do not need to be tested and they and you do not need to
self-isolate. Your child can go to school if fit to do so.

For vomiting and/or diarrhoea, as per normal circumstances, they should remain at
home for at least 48 hours after symptoms have passed. This now also relates to a fever
or high temperature (alongside a negative coronavirus result) and they should not return
to school for at least 48 hours after symptoms have passed.

What exactly is meant by a ‘new continuous’ cough?
A new continuous cough means coughing for longer than an hour, or three or more
coughing episodes in 24 hours. If the person usually has a cough, it may be worse than
usual.

Do parents need to inform their school if a child goes for a test?
Yes. This will help to ensure the school has an awareness of any suspected cases of
Covid-19 and will help to inform their decision making in the event of an outbreak. As
part of the information provided by Test and Protect with test results, they suggest
making your school aware of the outcome, even if it is negative.

Must parents/carers inform schools if children or young people have COVID-19
symptoms?
Yes. Parents/carers should let schools know if their children are not attending school
and why. If the pupil has COVID-19 symptoms, the household are required to self-isolate
and call 111 for advice. It is important for schools to be able to record any COVID-19
symptoms among the school community, as this can help detect a possible cluster of
cases of COVID-19 at an early stage, and involve the Health Protection Team promptly if
needed.

Can a pupil who has had a negative result return to school if their sibling has
COVID-19 symptoms?

No. A pupil whose sibling has a fever, new continuous cough, or loss/change in sense of
smell/taste, should not return to school until the sibling receives a negative test result.
This is the case even if the pupil has received a negative result themselves.

If the sibling’s test results are positive for COVID-19, they must remain isolated for 10
days from the start of their symptoms and the rest of their household including the pupil
should isolate for 10 days.

Can a pupil who has had a negative result return to school if their sibling has
other symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat?
Yes. If the sibling is only showing other symptoms, such as a runny nose or sore throat,
the pupil can return to school.

Why encourage physical distancing and/or consistent groupings only ‘where
possible’? Wouldn’t all the same measures have to be in place all the time?
It is important to emphasise that both the approaches of maintaining distance between
young people where possible (in secondary schools) and the use of consistent groups
(all age groups) are not all-or-nothing approaches. These will bring public health benefits
even if practical arrangements mean they can only be implemented partially.

What happens if someone in the class/school tests positive?
All schools will have a COVID-19 risk assessment in place and will have support from
the local authority and Health Protection Team. This will outline the appropriate steps
and infection prevention and control measures to be taken in the event someone within
the school tests positive for COVID-19.

The Test and Protect process will ensure that anyone who is identified as a close
contact of a confirmed case will be notified and advised accordingly.

Will all parents/carers and children/young people be notified if someone in the
school/class tests positive for COVID-19?
Those who have been identified as close contacts of someone who has tested positive
for COVID-19 will be contacted by the Test and Protect service and advised to self-
isolate to protect others from further spread of the virus.

For others, including teachers, parents, guardians and carers, appropriate
communication will be provided via the school, including a letter to outline the situation.
It is important to remember that if you are not contacted by Test and Protect, you or your
child(ren) have not been assessed as a close contact, and there is no need to get tested
unless you or they develop symptoms.

It is important to note that no names will be shared with parents/carers, children and
young people, and staff of any individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the
school who do not need to know. The standard Test and Protect processes will identify
any close contacts and make any necessary phone calls, without disclosing the name of
the person who has tested positive. It is important for all to avoid speculation and blame.

If a positive case of COVID-19 is identified in the school, do those previously
shielding need to go back into self-isolation?
No. If there is a positive case in the school of COVID-19, there will be a risk assessment

to determine the possible spread of infection and risk to others. This will include whether
shielded or vulnerable staff or children have come into contact with the case.

The Health Protection Team will advise the school if any shielded or vulnerable people
need to stay off school. Similarly, if there is an outbreak in the school, the Health
Protection Team will review the situation and assess if it is still safe for
shielded/vulnerable staff or children to stay at school.

If a child or young person’s parent/carer tests positive (or has COVID symptoms)
must the child stay off school for 10 days?
Yes, all household members including children and young people must self-isolate for 10
days if anyone in their household tests positive for COVID-19.

If someone is isolating with COVID-19, do they need to get a negative test before
they can return to school?
No. The test picks up traces of virus in the nose and throat, and in some cases those
traces will remain once a person has recovered and is no longer infectious. So, a repeat
test, following a positive result, is not helpful and should be avoided.

The important thing is to stay isolated for at least 10 days from the start of symptoms (10
days for any household members) and only come out of isolation once symptoms have
improved and there has been no fever for at least 48 hours.

It has been shown that cough and change in sense of smell/taste can persist for weeks,
beyond the time that they are infectious. As long as they have isolated for 10 days and
have had no fever for 48 hours, the individual can return to school even if cough or
change in sense of smell/taste remain.

Keyworker childcare arrangements during school closures
(January 2021)
What provision has been put in place for the children of keyworkers during January
2021 school closures?
Arrangements are being made for keyworkers to request childcare at Aberdeenshire schools
from Wednesday, January 6. More information is available on the service webpage.

Will Out of School Care be available to key workers during school closures?
Out Of School Care (OOSC) options will open where there is the need for key workers and
vulnerable children only. Usual opening arrangements for Aberdeenshire OOSC will resume
when all children return to school.

Is early learning and childcare being made available to key workers during school
closures? What about the provision of the 1140 expansion of childcare?
During school closures, arrangements for early learning and childcare have changed. Please
contact earlyyears@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or speak to staff at your child's setting from 5th
January 2021 if you have a query.

Advice and support

What is being done to ensure children and young people with additional support
needs are safe and well catered for?
Ensuring appropriate arrangements are in place for children and young people with
additional support needs is a priority across Aberdeenshire. Our approach centres on
the needs of each child, so appropriate arrangements are put in place tailored to their
specific needs. If you have concerns, please discuss these with your school directly.

I’m really struggling to adapt to challenging circumstances. Can you help?
We know it’s unsettling when there is so much change ongoing. Please remember the
remarkable resilience young people, parents and staff have shown so far and the importance
of continuing to work together positively to ensure the best possible outcomes for our
children and young people.

If you are struggling, we would encourage you to engage with your school as well as seeking
support for yourself. Check out the NHS Grampian Psychological Resilience Hub website.
Another really useful website if you are not sure where to turn or just want some ideas is:
https://clearyourhead.scot/support

The council's Educational Psychology Service (EPS) has developed a range of useful
resources and signposts other useful sources of support which may be helpful for you too.
Visit https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/as/aberdeenshireeps/coronavirus-covid-19/

Is any financial support available to families from the Council?
The Grampian Assistance Hub is on hand to help you with questions about what support you
may be entitled to, including a Crisis Grant or Self-isolation Grant. They can also ensure
vulnerable people are given the support they need during these challenging times. Visit
https://www.gcah.org.uk/ or call the free Assistance Hub helpline on 0808 196 3384. Lines
are open Monday to Friday from 09.00 – 17.00.

The Council also has a range of further information and resources online to assist at
https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/covid-19/

How are schools ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
if an incident occurs requiring them to receive First Aid or purely if they require
comforting?
First Aid will continue to be available to all children and young people in Aberdeenshire’s
schools. It is also recognised and understood that younger children in particular may
require support and reassurance involving close contact from time-to-time. This will
continue to be provided.

What happens if parents/carers do not feel it is an acceptable risk for their
child(ren) to attend school? Will they be prosecuted or fined?
Providing there are no shielding requirements, parents are encouraged to enable their
children to attend school and schools can work with families to address any concerns
they may have. However, the Scottish Government has indicated that parents will not
face fines.

How will my child be affected if others haven’t done home learning? And how are
you going to help children catch up?
Teachers are taking each child from where they are. It is a varied picture and we will

continue to support each child based on their individual needs. Teachers are no
strangers to supporting mixed ability classes and will provide tailored support.

As part of the work of our Regional Improvement Collaborative, a national e-learning
offer is now available and continues to be further developed to enhance the learning and
teaching offering to children and young people across Scotland. Educators are used to
being creative and will find new ways to support those who need it.

If you have concerns, work with your school, make suggestions and find solutions which
work for you and your family.

I am really concerned and feel myself and/or my family members should be
shielding. What should I do.
Broadly speaking, there is no longer a requirement for shielding across Scotland.
However, if you are in a very high-risk group and have been clinically advised to avoid
school or if you would prefer your child does not attend school, please discuss
alternative arrangements with your school directly.

Can I arrange flexi schooling for my child?
Aberdeenshire Council set up a joint working group set up to consider the complexities
of flexi schooling and new guidance is now available as part of our Home Education
Policy. View the December 2020 committee report. Flexi schooling is where part of the
responsibility for educating a young person rests with the school and part rests with the
parent, attending school for part of the week only.

Is blended learning available, if parents wish to choose this rather than going
back to school full time?
The blended learning approach – where young people can access part of the learning
package their school is offering from home – remains an essential part of our
contingency plan in the event of school closures and/or due to self isolation
requirements. This is not, however, routinely available to families as an alternative to
attending school.

How are young people who are anxious about being at school being supported?
Schools are continuing to make health and wellbeing an integral part of school life.
There have been and will continue to be many continued professional learning
opportunities for teaching staff and the focus is on continuing to deliver a nurturing,
happy school environment. The safety and hygiene measures we encourage are based
on expert, national advice and these are coupled with a friendly, understanding
approach.

We understand that many families have been impacted by lockdown and therefore
nurture and wellbeing continues to be a key priority. The principles of GIRFEC (Getting It
Right For Every Child) still apply and schools will continue to work with parents and other
professionals to ensure that appropriate support plans are put in place for those children
who need it.

What to expect at school

What are schools having to do differently from August 2020?
The Scottish Government published national guidance on preparing for the new term.
This explains the many considerations school leadership teams are taking into account
to support the health, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as well as staff.

The summary version of the guidance is particularly helpful in providing families with
reassurance about being at school so that you can work with your children to support
any concerns or worries they may have.

What are the implications of the changes in health and safety in school?
Over the summer months of 2020, Scottish Government produced general guidance for local
authorities on how to re-open schools safely and this continues to be revised and updated.

Schools undertook extensive risk assessments in preparation for pupils returning in August
2020 and our Local Phasing Delivery Plan includes a template risk assessment schools
continue to refer to. These continue to be revised as necessary in line with the latest
guidance. As a result, new rules and routines have had to be – and continue to be -
introduced in all establishments. No two schools are the same, however, so each school’s
approach must be tailored to fit its own context.

Creating and then implementing all this new guidance has been necessary to ensure the
health and safety of young people and school staff. It has been a major challenge and has
resulted in a major change to established working patterns. Significant time is now being
spent explaining and reinforcing the guidance and because safety has been prioritised,
some of the tasks which were routinely completed by staff before the pandemic are not
being done so often or so quickly as before.

From the outside, it may look as if schools are as they always were - but they are not.
School life has changed significantly. Parents may be aware that queries are not dealt with
so promptly, that members of leadership teams are not available to take calls, or that
information takes longer to reach home, but we would ask for patience, as delays are often
caused by the fact that so much time is now being diverted into supervision and the
maintenance of good health and safety, and schools will still get back to parents as soon as
they can.

Why can’t I go into my child’s school?
All Aberdeenshire schools are following Scottish Government guidance to ensure the safety
of pupils and staff in schools. They are also acutely aware of the need to reduce movement
between different groups of people and the need to ensure that every possible measure is in
place to try to prevent infection entering schools. Because of this, to protect the safety of
pupils and staff, many schools are unable to allow parents to access school buildings.

Where there is need for a parent to engage with the school because, for example, a child
has forgotten to take something important into school, or there is some emergency situation
at home, the school will do what it can to help. In these cases, parents should telephone the
school to explain the problem and the school will then explain how that can be overcome.
The most important thing to remember is that parents should not appear at school
unannounced because in such cases, it is likely that they will not be able to access the

building.

Why can’t my school answer some of my questions?
 Covid-19 is still an ever-present threat in our communities, and like everywhere else,
schools have had to change and adapt. The certainty which we for so long have taken for
granted has now gone and everyone in the country is having to cope with changing rules,
and restrictions which differ day to day, week to week. With this as the backdrop to school
life, it is difficult for Head Teachers to make decisions too far ahead. The focus for now will
be to try to ensure that young people are supported to learn and achieve in a safe and
healthy environment.

When will Parent Evenings return?
At present parents, and other non-essential school personnel, are not allowed to enter
school buildings. As a result, therefore, schools are unable to hold Parents Evenings in
person but are making every effort to engage with parents online and/or by telephone. If the
situation around Covid-19 improves significantly, restrictions may be eased and should this
happen, individual schools will look at how best they can manage to accommodate parent
meetings. These may, however, look different in each school and may differ in Primary and
Secondary settings.

Parents should be aware that there may not be a full return to face to face meetings.
Schools will, however, be mindful of the need to share information about pupils’ progress
with parents and will look at ways of managing this. Online and/or telephone discussions are
already proving to be useful and effective.

Are we asking pupils not to bring their own equipment to school?
Schools are carefully considering localised arrangements on an ongoing basis and may
ask you to limit the number of belongings brought into school but there is no blanket ban
on bringing your own equipment to school.

Are parents/carers able to visit schools as they would have done before?
Unfortunately not for the moment. The national guidance advises against inviting
parents/carers into school buildings unless they are working there. This means that for
now a lot of the interactions you will have with your school will continue to be online.
Schools are carefully considering how best to continue to engage with families and this
will be reviewed as new national guidance becomes available.

How are we ensuring schools are operating consistently safely across
Aberdeenshire?
Every aspect of schools’ work is carefully risk assessed. Risk assessments have been
completed for each school and continue to be updated and shared with staff. Schools
will also communicate health and safety arrangements with children and young people
as well as parents and carers.

There will be variations in how schools operate across Aberdeenshire, but this is due to
the fact that the number of young people in each school varies from less than 10 to more
than 1400. It is important the arrangements put in place locally are proportionate and
appropriate.

Each school across Aberdeenshire has assessed its own needs and put appropriate
health and safety arrangements in place, in line with national guidance and templates
included in our Local Phasing Delivery Plan.

Are face coverings and/or perspex screens used in classrooms?
Where adults cannot keep 2m distance and are interacting face-to-face for a sustained
period (about 15 minutes or more), face coverings should be worn. These are becoming
used much more routinely by staff indoors. Anyone wishing to wear a face covering in
school will be allowed to do so, and a nurturing, understanding approach will be
extended to all those who may be exempt from using them – particularly some of our
most vulnerable young people.

Face coverings are mandatory for secondary school pupils and staff (unless they are
exempt from using these) when moving around secondary schools (corridors and
communal areas) where physical distancing is difficult to maintain. This extends to
classroom use under Level 4 restrictions.

For the most part, perspex screens have not been installed in classrooms although there
are some examples of where these are being utilised for specific subjects/circumstances
according to schools’ risk assessments.

Is PPE being provided in schools?
Careful risk assessments are completed on all aspects of schools’ work and shared with
staff. PPE is provided wherever it is needed. Staff who are working intensely with pupils,
particularly those with Additional Support Needs who require personal care, for example,
will have PPE. Hand sanitiser is widely available at entrance points in all schools.

Are children expected to wear school uniform?
Young people should be asked to dress appropriately for school but given the pressures
many families may be under at present, no undue pressure should be placed on young
people to wear school uniform. It is appreciated that some young people may stretch the
definition of ‘appropriate’ and individual schools will work with young people and their
families on what is acceptable and what is not.

Is more emphasis on outdoor learning being considered?
Yes, where appropriate an increased focus on outdoor learning is being carefully led by
staff. Schools would always recommend children and young people are dressed
appropriately to enable outdoor learning and parents and carers can help to support this.

What daily cleaning arrangements are in place?
Rigorous cleaning arrangements have been put in place for each school, proportionate
to building size and school roll. All frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles,
light switches and tables, will be cleaned at least twice per day.

How are PE (Physical Education) and library sessions being managed?
A lot of careful planning and thought went into schools preparing for all pupils having to
physically distance (the contingency Local Phasing Delivery Plan) and a lot of this will
continue to be relevant, at least for the time-being. This means they’ve considered which
sports may be higher risk than others and how to ensure the safe handling and cleaning
of equipment.

Based on the public library ‘Click and Collect’ model which has been introduced, it is
likely that this will be extended for school libraries which are managed by Live Life
Aberdeenshire. Digital services provided by Live Life Aberdeenshire continue to be
available to all pupils and staff and schools have found lots of other creative ways of
using digital technology. For schools that operate their own libraries, the physical
borrowing of books should be carefully managed allowing for a three-day quarantine as
per the national guidance.

Will school trips continue to go ahead?
The advice given to Head Teachers is to postpone all school trips for the moment. This is a
rapidly-changing situation, however, and school teams will take on board the latest public
health and government advice to ensure careful consideration is given to any remaining
bookings.

Curriculum

How has the curriculum and learning and teaching been affected by the changes?
We are continuing to cover all aspects of the curriculum in classes as best we can, but there
are some activities – often practical activities which pose some challenges. Guidance from
Scottish Government suggests that where possible schools should look to use outdoor
spaces to deliver some aspects of the curriculum. Where an activity is heavily dependent on
shared specialised equipment, teachers must consider how – or if – that can be used safely,
and risk assess activities accordingly. Everywhere in schools, there is a huge emphasis on
cleaning, and regular hand washing or hand sanitising is now part of the routine in all
schools.

How are practical subjects in secondary schools affected by the restrictions put in
place because of coronavirus?
Many of the subjects pupils study in school involve a significant degree of practical work –
Art, Music, Drama, Home Economics, PE, Technical subjects, Business subjects and
Sciences have very significant practical elements, but there is also practical work built into
other courses. Guidance from Scottish Government, through Education Scotland, and from
agencies like Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) has been created for
schools to use in their planning, but there is no one size fits all approach. Factors like school
rolls, school buildings, staffing levels, timetable design and the availability of resources differ
from school to school and all affect what can and cannot be done.

Where a subject is resource and equipment dependent, there are rules about the sharing of
equipment and the cleaning protocols that are required to ensure pupil and staff safety. This
may mean that pupils can do less hands-on work and that they must learn from watching
demonstrations rather than by doing the activities themselves. Where pupils are getting
hands-on experience there are more frequent cleaning protocols to be worked in to teaching
time and depending on period lengths, this can be prohibitive.

Just as there are restrictions applied to facilities like public gyms and swimming pools, there
are restrictions on what can and cannot be done in PE classes. It is because of this that the
guidance schools received said that pupils should come to school dressed in PE kit. Some
schools have the accommodation to be able to create changing areas which satisfy the

safety considerations, but in some schools, pressures on teaching space will not allow this.

Home Economics lessons provide another set of challenges because the design of most
school kitchens makes any physical distancing very difficult and some equipment inevitably
must be shared. Pupils are encouraged to observe physical distancing rules, but teaching
staff must maintain physical distancing as much as possible. In small kitchens, this is very
difficult, and Head Teachers are mindful that they cannot risk the safety of staff. There are
also additional cleaning routines which add significant time pressures. Solutions to these
challenges are being sought – but as with everything in our “new normal” there are no easy
answers.

Why are senior phase pupils who opted for a college course not able to attend
classes in college?
Colleges, like schools, had to close their doors to students when lockdown began. Like
schools, they have had to do a huge amount of preparation, involving detailed risk
assessment, to be able to reopen safely. The Guidance for reopening Colleges was only
published at the beginning of September and it included the steps that were to be taken to
permit school pupils to return to college link courses.

For now, NESCol, SRUC and Dundee and Angus College courses are being delivered to
school pupils through on-line platforms and plans are being drawn up to start the process of
on-site delivery for some courses. Although the picture varies college to college, broadly
speaking, if a course has no significant practical element it may be delivered wholly or
mainly on-line this session. For more practical courses, planning is underway to see how
pupils might attend college for some lessons. Because of physical distancing rules which
have to be imposed in colleges, as they cater largely for adults, pupils are unlikely to be
permitted to attend college every week. This may mean that pupils are unable to complete
full courses, but in lieu of the usual qualification a college certificate could be given.

Schools are doing all they can to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for pupils
with a college course in their timetable, but it may take time for final plans for these courses
to be finalised.

Exams
What is happening with SQA Exams?
SQA exams will not take place in 2021. Highers and Advanced Highers will be assessed
using the same model that has been agreed to support National 5s – a model which has
benefited from the input of various representatives including teaching staff and union
representatives.

The intention is to ensure safety as well as fairness for all, recognising that a significant
percentage of the poorest pupils in Scotland have been most adversely affected by Covid-19
during recent months. We will be working hard to ensure schools have the support they need
to take forward these new arrangements. More at: https://www.gov.scot/news/sqa-awards-
update/

As part of the consultation process to reach this new arrangement, a whole range of factors
have been considered, including:

   •   The ability to teach full course content has already been affected by school closures
       and may be affected further if schools are subject to more local or national
       lockdowns.
   •   Health and Safety restrictions mean that some practical course content cannot be
       done at all; or can only be done in part.
   •   Physical distancing concerns mean that accommodating exams may be a challenge
       for some schools.
   •   The timetable for university admissions impacts on when exams need to be held and
       so there are limits on how late the exam diet can run.

Instrumental music lessons
How will instrumental lessons be delivered now that schools are open?
The Instrumental Music Service is operating in a variety of ways. Some instructors are
back in schools delivering face-to-face lessons.

The frequency of lessons face to face will depend in part on the risk assessment of
individual schools. Currently brass and woodwind instructors will not be teaching face to
face because Scottish Government guidance states that these activities should be
avoided. This also applies to singing.

Instructors also continue to use online platforms such as Google Classrooms and MS
Teams via Glow, to set assignments as well as send and receive audio and video
recordings. In addition, where circumstances allow, video conference lessons are now
able to take place on Google Meet and MS Teams platforms, again via Glow.

Are fees being requested for instrumental music lessons?
Instrumental music lesson fees remain under review. The review commenced when the
schools initially closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are currently no requests
for fees being sent to parents/carers.

School meals

Is financial support being offered to families who need it when schools are closed?

Yes. Those in receipt of income-based free school meals are being supported during school
holidays and school closures.

Will school meals continue to be available when schools are open?
Yes. When schools re-open primary school meals have a tailored menu and secondary
schools are using a new app for young people selecting their meal choices. For those
who are charged for school meals, please ensure there are sufficient funds available in
your child’s school meal account. More details on new school meal arrangements are

available on the council’s website: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/schools-
covid-19/school-meals-covid-19/

Are packed lunches allowed?
Yes. Families can continue to choose whether children and young people enjoy packed
lunches from home or school meals. However, children and young people should be
reminded about the importance of hygiene – sharing of snacks will not be permitted.

School events

Which regular school events can I expect to happen during this school year?
School life mirrors life in the community and just as many community events have had to be
cancelled because of Covid 19, school events are subject to the same rules and regulations.
This means that as things stand, schools cannot plan to hold events like school concerts,
fund-raising events and curricular information events. Schools are, however, finding ever
more creative ways to engage with families online and outdoors. If restrictions are eased,
there may be a possibility of some of the more traditional school calendar events taking
place, but as always, schools will keep you fully informed.

School transport
How is school transport operating?
School transport arrangements across Aberdeenshire have been reviewed in line with
the Scottish Government guidance on school transport and the latest national update on
preparing for the start of term.

From Monday, August 31, 2020 children aged five or older are required to wear face
coverings on dedicated school transport. View parental guidance on school transport
arrangements in Aberdeenshire.

What provision is being put in place for pupils who get free school transport to
school if parents don’t feel comfortable using the service without physical
distancing?
We will carefully follow the advice of Public Health Scotland and the Scottish
Government to ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place. If parents
do not wish to use the service then the expectation would be for families to make their
own arrangements.

How can you help

How can I help as a parent, in this current situation?
This is a time of huge uncertainty for everyone: no one has a guide book to help them chart
their way through this pandemic. Our young people will emerge stronger and more resilience
from this difficult time, if parents and staff work together. Please continue to support your
school in any way you can, within present restrictions, supporting your Parent Council, or
any other parent forums your school has in place, as best you can.

Family Information Service

The Scottish Government is decommissioning the Family Information Service. What
does this mean for me in Aberdeenshire?
The Scottish Government decommissioned the Family Information Service nationally from
Sunday, October 25, 2020. This means that the national website will be taken down from
that date. However, parents and families in Aberdeenshire will still be able to make use of
the council’s services. Anyone wishing to do so can contact afis@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or
call free phone 0800 298 3330 from 9:30am to 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays.

Contingency arrangements

Have schools planned for all scenarios when it comes to physical distancing? If
not, why not?
Schools have the maximum capacity figures for each classroom across Aberdeenshire’s
170+ schools to enable 1m, 1.5m or 2m physical distancing to take place. However,
physical distancing has a knock-on impact on many other aspects of school life,
including school transport. School timetabling can take up to four weeks to plan so
schools have a contingency plan ready to implement based on the 2m physical
distancing guidance as set out by the Scottish Government. Plans will be revised in line
with the latest advice.

When will the missed week of summer holidays be taken?
The five days holiday missed by bringing the 2020/21 start of term forward will be taken
in June, with effect from Monday 28th June 2021. This makes for a seven-week summer
break in 2021.

If contingency plans are enacted, will siblings be in school on the same day so
they can be in the same bubble?
Yes. Every effort will be made to keep family groups together where possible.

If the contingency plan had to be enacted, would the offering be the same for each
young person?
In the event of our Local Phasing Delivery Plan (our contingency plan) being enacted,
young people will have a mix of class-based learning at school and e-learning, and
arrangements will vary depending on the school. This is because we have over 170
schools, with varying numbers of children and young people attending and a variety of
different building designs, and we want to enable head teachers to deliver the best
possible solutions for their local communities.

Why couldn’t the council just hire more buildings and recruit more staff quickly in

order to guarantee all children and young people could go back to school full-
time, even if physical distancing is required?
While we would all prefer not to be operating within the context of a pandemic, it’s
important we strike the right balance between prioritising face-to-face learning and
childcare where possible, following safety guidance and delivering a sustainable and
affordable offering – in the event the infection rate creeps up.

It is important to understand that even in terms of delivering what many may consider
the basics in these circumstances – blended learning and key worker childcare – there
are still resource implications.

What are the costs and resource implications of Covid-19 on Aberdeenshire’s
schools so far?
Cover is in place for those colleagues who are shielding as well as those who may have
to self-isolate, and the new measures in place within our buildings to encourage good
hygiene practice come at a cost too. As well as the loss of income we have seen from
the closure of leisure and culture facilities and school catering, the cost of providing key
worker childcare is significant.

In Aberdeenshire we have also prioritised supporting hundreds of local suppliers during
lockdown, by continuing to pay for things such as funded early learning and childcare,
and school transport.

Could you offer funded childcare to make up for any loss of in-school time, should
the contingency plan be enacted?
While expanding the childcare we would be able to deliver would be beneficial to many
families, we also have to ensure these options would be safe, sustainable and
affordable.

Why isn’t schools’ approach to schooling standardised across Aberdeenshire in
the event of school closures and/or blended learning?
While there is robust guidance in place to support all head teachers, we also have to
respect the empowerment agenda. Working within an empowered system is based on
the principle that schools are empowered to make the decisions that ensure positive
outcomes for their children and young people. Sometimes this means there will be
variations in how different schools operate but they all have the best interests of their
children and young people at the centre of their decision-making which is of course also
guided by the council and the government. Visit Education Scotland’s website for more
information about empowerment.

e-Sgoil, the e-learning school based in the Western Isles which we work alongside as
part of the Northern Alliance regional improvement collaborative, is continuing to
develop a ‘national offer’ which is closer to what some parents are keen to see in terms
of a national bank of resources. However, the e-learning school specialises in delivering
remote online face-to-face teaching and would agree there is no substitute for the direct,
tailored guidance of a class teacher. Practices will vary among staff, if you have a
particular concern or complaint, please discuss this with the staff member concerned in
the first instance.

Digital learning and teaching
Will schools build on the expertise they have developed in remote learning and
teaching in the future?
The council’s Learning with Technology Team is using lessons learned in relation to how
learning has been delivered remotely, seeking feedback from staff, pupils, parents and
partners, in order to establish what works well and address the challenges to improve on
the delivery of remote learning in the future.

The opportunity to expand the delivery of real-time remote learning and teaching across
the Northern Alliance regional improvement collaborative area, and indeed nationally, is
being led by e-Sgoil, our e-learning school based in the Western Isles. They have
developed tried and tested methods of delivery which have proven results and we are
keen to build on their expertise across the board.

Further details on return to school arrangements are on our website at:
https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/schools-covid-19/